Define hardware as consisting of physical components of a computer system

1.1b

Introduction

In this chapter should be able to define hardware as consisting of physical components of a computer system. Learners should also be able to describe a range of hardware componants and describe what they do.

Hardware

What is hardware?

Hardware describes the parts of a computer that you can physical touch and see. This includes any componant that is either inside or outside the computer.

Central Processing Unit (processor)

The CPU is the brain of the computer and its the part that interprets and executes the commands from a computers hardware and software. It is often referred to as the processor.

What is a processor?

A processor or microprocessor is built into a microchip that has other componants including memory built into it. If the microchip has more than one processor built into it is normally called a processor. The processors built into the microchip are called cores.

The CPU is measured in Hertz (Hz) which indicates the speed of instructions (calculations or instructions it can execute in a second).

Fan

When the CPU is running powerful programs that require carrying out billions of calculations a second it can get very hot. It therefore needs a fan to help it cool down.

The role of the fan is to cool down the central processing unit (processor) to allow it to perform much the same way a car rediator cools down the engine to prevent it from overheating.

Motherboard

Motherboard: holding componants

The motherboard is the part of the computer that holds all the main components together.

What is "Main Memory" (primary storage)

Main memory is also known as Internal Memory, Main Memory, Primary Memory and Primary Storage.

Main memory is a storage location that holds memory while the computer is running. It’s the fastest memory in your computer and is used to store data while its being used.

RAM and ROM are examples of Main Memory,

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM stands for Random Access Memory

RAM is the part of the computer memory that temporarily stores the instructions that the computer is running, and the data it is processing. RAM and Cache memory are the fastest types of memory in your computer. Generally speaking the more RAM a computer has the greater the performance.

Tasks that require a lot of memory such photo-editing, playing multiplayer games and video-editing generally require more RAM otherwise the computer may lag and appear to run slowly.

RAM comes in modules and can be added to the motherboard on desktop computers.

RAM is volatile which means that when the computer is turned off all data is lost.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

ROM is a built-in memory that can not be changed (it can only be read-from but not written-to). It is a type of memory thats programmed by the computer manufacturers and is not meant to be changed because any changing could result in the computer malfunctioning.

ROM normally holds the ‘boot up’ program to a computer – without it the computer would not know what to do when the "on button" is turned on.

ROM is non-volatile memory which means that memory is not lost when computer is turned off. Unlike RAM, ROM is built into the motherboard and its not normally possible to increase the amount of ROM in a computer.

Difference between RAM & ROM

Examiners will often expect students to explain the differences between RAM and ROM. Make sure you know these differences and you are able to write them out clearly.

RAM

ROM

Stands for Random Access Memory

Stands for Read Only Memory

Is normally used to temporarily store programs that are currently running

Is normally used to store the boot instructions for the BIOS to load the operating systems when the computer is turned on

Is volatile/temporary memory meaning that memory is deleted once computer is turned off

Is non-volatile/perminant memeory can not be edited or deleted

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Backing storage is also known as "secondary storage"

Backing Storage is normally used to describe other storage devices aside

from Main Memory (RAM or ROM). Examples of backing storage include internal hard disk drive (HDD) and solid state drive (SSD) and this is where applications software, disk operating system and files are stored.

Backing storage is non-volatile which means that data is not lost when the computer is turned off. Its a type of memory that allows users to save, modify and delete files. (read and write)

Backing storage is used to store data for a long time (data can be read from and written to)

Important:Remember that secondary storage refers to any storage storage media that we would normally use to store files,photos or work and includes portable storage devices as shown on the image to the right.

Graphics Card

A video card is used to enhance the quality of images showed on a display. It is attached to the motherboard and controls and calculates an image's appearance on the screen. The video card is an intermediate device that accelerates the video throughput.

In the early days most computer operating systems were only meant to display text formats. But over the years as games and multmedia have become more advanced so has the technology that lies behind the advancements. Video cards nowadays act like co-processors that actually add some processing power to improve the performance of the graphics.

Sound Card

What is a "Sound Card"?

Most audio collections on a computer are probably in digital format, either on CDs or as computer files.

In order to be able to listen to sounds, a sound card converts digital data to analogue sound waves you can hear. The output signal is then connected to a headphone or set of speakers. You can also use a sound card to record audio with a microphone.